Tour Package Armenia & Tbilisi Travel Guide – Georgia

Arrive at Tbilisi International Airport and transfer to a hotel. - - - Hotel

After breakfast take a tour of the city of Tbilisi. Visit Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba), a sacred place for every Georgian and the seat of the Catholicos-Patriarch of all Georgia. Drive to Rustaveli Avenue and visit the Georgian National Museum where various archaeological, ethnographic, and natural collections are held. The museum houses the Golden Treasury of Georgia. Via cable car continue to the Narikala Fortress built in the 4th century (formerly known as the Invidious Fortress). Its current name was given to it by Mongols and means little fortress.

Walk down and visit Tbilisi Mosque established in the 18th century, Legvtakhevi Waterfall, and sulfur bath houses. There are lots of cafes and bars, souvenir shops and art galleries located near the bath house district near Maidan Square, Sharden, and Erekle II streets.

Finish up the tour by visiting the Sioni Cathedral, formerly the main cathedral of Georgia, and Anchiskhati Basilica from the 6th century, the oldest church in Tbilisi.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Tbilisi.

B _ _ Hotel

After breakfast drive to the fertile Kartli region and enjoy sightseeing in the town of Gori. The house and museum of Joseph Stalin is located here. The museum includes the house where Stalin was born and spent his early childhood and his personal train coach.

Continue to Uplistskhe, a rock-hewn town located near Gori. Archaeological excavations have uncovered layers from the Early Iron Age to Late Middle Ages here. Artifacts found in Uplistskhe are now part of the Georgian National Museum exhibition.

Arrive at the center of the Imereti region, the city of Kutaisi. Visit the Gelati Monastery and Academy, the burial place of one of the most prominent kings of Georgia, David the Builder. The monastery is a true masterpiece of traditional Georgian church architecture and was known as a cultural and theological center throughout the centuries.

Overnight stay in Kutaisi.

B _ D Guest House

After breakfast drive to the Prometheus natural caves located near Kutaisi. The caves are full of stalactites and stalagmites of extraordinary beauty. The site has been renovated recently and now includes visual and audio effects.

Drive back to Tbilisi and stop in the town of Mtskheta to do some sightseeing. Two UNESCO World Heritage sites are located in this small town, which has been referred to by Georgians as the holy city. One UNESCO site is the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, dating back to the 11th century. The interior of the church was once full of frescos; now only a few of them remain. The second UNESCO site, Jvari Monastery, stands on a hill overlooking Mtskheta where the Mtvari and Aragvi Rivers converge. The monastery was built in the 6th century and then reinforced with defensive structures in the late Middle Ages.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Tbilisi.

B _ _ Hotel

After breakfast drive to the Javakheti region and visit the Vardzia cave monastery and town established in the 12th century during the reign of King George III and his daughter, Queen Tamar. Since Javakheti was a barrier separating the rest of Georgia from the Muslim world, it was often attacked by enemies. Thus a massive complex was built for both defensive as well as monastic purposes.

Along the Mtkvari River there are several historical and architectural monuments. Here you will be able to take some incredible photos of the gorgeous Khertvisi and Tmogvi Fortresses.

Drive to the Georgian-Armenian border, change transport and meet up with your guide. Transfer to Giumri, the second largest city in Armenia. Go on a short tour of Giumri, exploring both the old and new streets of this historical city.

Overnight stay in Giumri.

B _ _ Guest House

Breakfast at the hotel. Begin the day by visiting centuries-old monuments, Ejmiatsin and Zvartnots. These are both UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Cathedral of Ejmiatsin, founded in 303, is the official residence of the Catholicos of Armenia. Continue on to Zvartnots Temple which was built in the 7th century by Nerses Builder Catholicos. Drive to Yerevan. Visit Vernissage, a famous open-air market specializing in contemporary art.

Take a tour of the capital of Armenia- Yerevan. For ages this city has been known as The Pink City because of the color of the stone used in its architecture. Visit Republic Square, Mashtoc Avenue, the House of Opera and Ballet named after Aram Khachatryan, and Cascad Park. You will also visit Yerevan Brandy Factory where you will be able to try world-famous brandy. Next, visit the Manuscript Museum of Armenia, Matenadaran; this is where all ancient Armenian Manuscripts are kept. Lastly, visit the History Museum and Genocide Memorial known as Tsitsernakaberd.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Yerevan.

B _ _ Hotel

Begin the day by visiting Garni, a pagan temple built in the 1st century AD. It is the only temple that has been preserves from pagan times in Armenia. It was devoted to the god Mihr, who was the god of cleanliness. In 1679 it was destroyed by an earthquake, but was later restored in 1975. Continue on to the Geghard Monastery. The monastery's name comes from the legendary lance that was used to pierce the body of Christ. It has been kept here for centuries. Though the exact foundation of the monastery is unknown, the present complex was built in the mid–13th century. Afterwards we will drive to a local house where you will have the opportunity to see and participate in the making of the Armenian national bread- lavash. It is a very thin bread usually cooked in a ground oven, or tonir. Return to Yerevan.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Yerevan.

B _ _ Hotel

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to the Lori region. Today we will visit two unique monuments of Armenian architecture from the 10th-14th centuries: the monasteries of Sanahin and Haghpat (both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites). The name Sanahin in Armenian literally means this one is older than the other, which probably means that this monastery is older than Haghpat. These two monasteries are very close to each other. Both are located on an uneven plateau separated by a deep crack formed by a small river that flows into the larger Debed River. Haghpat Monastery was one of the largest religious, cultural, and educational centers in medieval Armenia. We will also visit the monastery of Akhtala, which offers some fantastic scenery. Drive to the Armenian-Georgian border, Sadakhlo. Meet up with your guide. Transfer directly to the Tbilisi Airport for departure. B _ _ - - -